Ardtrea Nature

03/25/2026

There was some wonderful news this month that the eastern population of the Monarch butterfly has increased during the 2025-26. The population is measured by the amount of forest space occupied at their overwintering sites in Mexico. Last year was 1.79 hectares and this year is 2.93 hectares; about a 64% increase!

There's still much work to be done to ensure this iconic butterfly species doesn't go extinct. Multiple threats still remain with habitat loss being the leading factor. Logging in Mexico remains a problem as forest areas are cut for avocado farming. In their breeding territory, here at home, much of their landscape has changed over the years. As you may know, the butterfly relies on milkweed plants, specifically Common Milkweed [Asclepias syriaca] which is what they need to lay eggs on. The caterpillars feed on its leaves and the adult butterflies find nectar from its blooms.

Unfortunately many butterfly species are struggling to adapt. While the Monarch butterfly has become the "poster child" for pollinator conservation, it's important to recognize the hundreds of solitary native bees, moths and different butterfly families that depend on native plants for their survival.

It is important to make an effort to include native plants in your gardens and around the yard. Every little bit helps! If you don't know what to look for, please do a little research by looking up your 'eco-region' to find what's suitable to your area. Ask around at your local garden centres. Find a local expert. And don't buy anything that's potentially invasive which can harm these species further.

As always, if you need some help on where to get started, please don't hesitate to send me a message!

02/25/2026

It's Invasive Species Awareness Week! While there are a number of things that are harming our natural environment across various ecosystems, there's one plant that can actually damage building foundations. What looks like bamboo is actually Japanese Knotweed. The root system is very deep, like more than 10 feet deep.
This invader is tough to eradicate because of this and the best known treatment is multiple rounds of targeted glyphosate, unfortunately. It's a multi year commitment though it's one battle that's worth winning. If you have this in your yard, or close to your house, don't hesitate to seek professional help.

02/02/2026

It's an honour to be recognized by Ontario Nature on this 2026 edition of World Wetlands Day.
These valuable spaces are under threat of destruction in the name of growth (where growth isn't happening) but rather than focusing on profits, why not see these spaces as valuable tools to combat the impacts of severe weather events. Better to protect now than to fork out tenfold in disaster recovery later on.

01/25/2026

Be sure to register for the Couchiching Conservancy's Passport to Nature online event happening on February 10 at 7 pm and featuring the fabulous speaker, Colleen Cirillo with the David Suzuki Foundation's Butterflyway Rangers program. She will help guide you through what native perennials are suitable for your yard and why it's important to include them. You won't want to miss it! Be sure to register by following the link in this shared post.

12/12/2025

I had the privilege of being interviewed by The Narhwal last month regarding a development issue in the area (and everywhere else across Ontario).

We need to keep intact our wetlands as they save us money let alone support much biodiversity that we get to experience in our backyards. These spaces are the tools we need to help deal with major weather events. We can't afford to continue destroying and degrading the wetlands for a sake of one political agenda.

You can read the full article below;

A developer built a trail through a wetland near Orillia, catching neighbours and the township by surprise. Across Ontario, wetlands are getting harder and harder to protect

09/12/2025

It's the season of bright green caterpillars crossing roadways and navigating other open spaces. They're sure to catch your eye like this Io Moth caterpillar and a tiny Spiny Slug Moth caterpillar.
Be sure to keep an eye out on your travels for these brightly coloured caterpillars! Remember not to touch them, especially the fuzzy ones as they can cause a skin rash or itchy hives.

08/20/2025

A few surviving shoreline plants from a shoreline that's retreating from underneath their feet during the summer drought. From left; Water Smartweed, Pickerelweed and American Groundnut.

07/23/2025

It's Moth Week! Great time to hang a white sheet in the backyard and see who shows up (other than mosquitoes). Using a blacklight bulb is better than using a standard LED bulb and most are attracted to them.
The majority of the moths that showed up on this screen were vibrating their wings.

Happy !

07/18/2025

It was a gruelling day for a Butterfly Count but we went out in search of these pollinators. We were a small & mighty team. In total we had 590 observations across 25 species. We drove, walked & biked in various parts of Severn. Thank you all who participated this year!

SAVE THE DATE: July 11, 2026 for the next Severn Butterfly Count

07/13/2025

It was a scorching hot & humid day for Saturday's Severn Butterfly Count but that didn't stop the butterflies and it didn't stop us either.
It started off with a brief morning shower with most butterflies wanting to bask in the sunshine. By lunch hour most of them preferred to stay in the shade & closer to tree cover.

Results are still being tallied which will be shared soon. It was another successful Count!

07/09/2025

The next Severn Butterfly Count is happening on Saturday! We're heading out across the rurals of in search of as many butterflies possible. Everyone is welcome! If you're interested in joining, please send a message for further details.

06/19/2025

The Yellow Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium parviflorum) are starting to fade in colour after a few weeks of basking in the sunshine though the ones in more shade are hanging on to their brightness.
There was someone else being patient too.